Jennie and I return to the table right in the middle of Hanbin's life story. My brother is hanging onto every word coming out of Hanbin's mouth and I wonder if anyone besides Rosé and I notice.

I try to be a good person and listen, seeing as it is the polite thing to do but my mind is elsewhere.

It's in the same place it's been for the last three days.

Jennie.

She took my hand to pull me back to dinner like it was no big deal, but for me it was a huge one.

Not the gesture itself, I could interpret the meaning of that for days, I'm more focused on the way it made me feel. I'm not going to lie, I've been with my fair share of woman and yet with Jennie she's made me feel more with her clothes on than any of them did naked.

I'm not saying I've never been in love before, I have, with one person, but now I'm starting to doubt what I felt for her. I force myself to rejoin the conversation because I really don't want to take a stroll down memory lane at this moment and I certainly have no desire to relive the pain she caused me.

"...and I also enjoying playing basketball in my spare time." Hanbin finishes before he takes another bite of my mom's pot roast.

I don't think anyone misses the excited squeal coming from my brother.

I can only imagine the images he's forming in his head of Hanbin being all sweaty after a game of one-on-one.

Actually, I don't want to imagine that at all.

I would like to finish my meal and now I'm not sure I can.

I close my eyes and conjure up the only thing that will help in a situation like this.

Ah, naked Jennie, it's good to have you back.

"You know." My dad starts and I'm sad to say he made naked Jennie disappear. "Bobby was the captain of his high school basketball team." He grins proudly at Bobby, missing completely the embarrassment he's causing him. Hey, at least it's not me. "They even won the state championship his senior year."

"Dad, do you really have to do that?" Bobby groans as his cheeks turn a similar shade to mine when I do something stupid. "Nobody cares."

"I think that's pretty cool man." Hanbin says.

Bobby smiles so wide I'm afraid he might pull a muscle. "Maybe we can play together sometime?"

Hanbin smiles as well, "That sounds great." If you looked up the definition of happy in the dictionary you'd see a picture of what Bobby looks like right this second. "I haven't played in a few months though so I might be rusty."

"No problem, I'll take it easy one you." I can hear Bobby trying to contain his excitement, it's very cute.

That doesn't mean I can't have fun with him though.

"You know what would be even better?" I turn to my father. "If you and Joon joined them, I'm sure they wouldn't mind."

I don't need to look at Bobby to know his reaction.

Maybe next time he'll think twice before he smears peanut butter all over my phone at work like he did last week.

He probably thought I forgot about that.

Sucker!

"What a great idea Jisoo." My dad says.

Oh Bobby, payback is a bitch.

"You are an evil woman." Rosé whispers to me.

I finally glance over at Bobby and I'm thankful looks can't kill because if they could, I'd be very dead. I wink at him and I'm sure if Hanbin wasn't here he'd reach over and punch me.

Hey look at that, I think I just cheered myself up.

"Actually I'm going to be tied up with exams over the next few weeks so count me out." Joon says and if I didn't know better I'd guess he was making that up.

Bobby appears to be breathing easier, "School is important, he can join us another time dad."

"Well that might work out for me because I'm going back to New York on Friday and I won't be back for two weeks." Hanbin announces.

Have you ever been around a kid when they discover the truth about Santa Claus?

That's the best way to describe Bobby's face at this moment and now I do feel a little bad for him.

I know, I know, I'm amazing like that.

"Maybe you two can squeeze in a game before you leave?" I suggest.

I do believe I just got back on Bobby's good side.

I can tell because he doesn't look like he wants to throttle me anymore.

"I don't know if I have any time." Hanbin replies.

I'm afraid Bobby might start to cry and that's when Jennie pipes up. "I'm sure you can fit in a few hours to play with Bobby before you go."

Jennie Kim....hero to another Kim.

Her awesomeness knows no bounds.

"Let me know what works for you." Hanbin says to my brother.

Bobby is bouncing around in his chair, "We can talk about it after dinner."

"Cool." Hanbin replies.

I look over at Jennie and our eyes connect immediately. She smiles at me and once again I'm lost in her.

She's smiling that smile that makes me forget that she's sitting beside her boyfriend and it also makes me forget that there's anyone else in the room beside her.

I really don't understand how I can get so much out of a smile but I do.

So damn much.

The conversation turns to Joon and medical school and my mind begins to wander.

For once I keep quiet and don't interject the conversation with any smart remarks.

What I do instead is watch.

I watch as Jennie listens to him, asks questions and just fits in with seemingly no difficulty whatsoever.

I listen as the focus goes back to her and in no time she's entertaining the table with stories about herself growing up. How she would sneak out with her father and all the places he'd take her when he was home from his tour.

I see her laugh, but behind that sound I'll never get sick of hearing is underlying sadness that's not hard to detect.

It's amazing what I can observe when I'm not caught up in my own thoughts.

It doesn't even bother me that much when her and Hanbin start teasing each other. But that's probably because it doesn't go on too long and then Jennie is asking my parents about how they first met.

I've heard that story a hundred times, which allows me to continue to watch Jennie like a hawk.

"Why are you so quiet?" Rose whispers. I think she's heard my parents' story almost as many times as I have.

"No reason." I whisper back.

She leans right into me and I turn to face her. "If you're upset about earlier, don't be, you didn't know. But for future reference when I kick you in the leg, that means shut the fuck up."

I chuckle, "Yeah I get that now."

"What are you two whispering about?" My dad asks.

"Nothing." Rosé and I reply together as we separate.

My dad shakes his head, "You know I'll never understand why things didn't work out between you two."

Have I ever mentioned that my dad has a really big mouth?

Well, he does and the expression of surprise on Jennie's face at his revelation is quite apparent.

It's not like I was going to hide my past with Rose but I was going to bring it up at a more appropriate time.

Jennie isn't smiling anymore by the way.

"We were together for like two minutes, it was no big deal." I say to him, but I'm really giving my answer to Jennie.

"No need to get defensive Jisoo, it was just an observation." My dad replies.

"Besides we're better off friends." Rosé interjects.

I'll have to thank her for that later.

"Honey, leave Jisoo alone." My mom scolds.

I'll have to thank her as well.

"I just think they make a cute couple." He turns to Jennie. "Don't you think Rosé and Jisoo would make a cute couple?"

I'm going to kill him!

And I'm sure I'd have grounds for justifiable homicide.

"Yeah, real cute," Jennie replies but she still seems pissed.

She avoids eye contact with me even though I'm trying to get her attention.

"See, Jennie agrees with me." My dad says ever so smugly.

I need someone to come to my rescue and something tells me it won't be Jennnie who does this time.

She's gone very quiet and she's playing with her food instead of eating it.

My rescuer comes from a very unlikely source.

Hanbin.

"This pot roast is delicious Mrs. Kim." He says to my mom.

My mom never gets tired of hearing people compliment her cooking. "Please, call me Dara and thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying it."

Hanbin's smiling and Jennie still won't look in my direction. "It's been so long since Jennie and I have had such a great home cooked meal."

Why does she seem mad?

"Thanks Mrs. K," Jennie mumbles.

My mom is absolutely beaming, "I think I just found my two favorite people." The table laughs, except for me, I'm too busy staring at Jennie.

Hold up.

I didn't do anything wrong.

Right?

So why is Jennie upset?

I refuse to believe it's because she's jealous because that would make my year.

"Now wait just a minute honey, I think they should have a chance to taste my barbequing skills before someone hands you the title of worlds best cook." My dad chimes in.

My parents are highly competitive.

This could get ugly.

I'm in panic mode though so I don't even attempt to change the topic.

Is it really possible that Jennie could be jealous?

I'm sure it's just indigestion.

"It wouldn't even be close." My mom boasts.

Everyone's eyes shift back to my dad, like we're at a tennis match.

My dad leans over the table, "That sounds like a challenge to me."

"Maybe it is." My mom smirks.

I sit back in my chair and sigh, Jennie is making a point to look anywhere but at me.

"Well, we are having a barbeque this Saturday." I'm almost tempted to do something idiotic to get a reaction out of Jennie. "I know you won't be here Hanbin, but Jennie can be the one to judge who is the better cook."

"Honey, don't put Jennie on the spot, she probably has plans already." My mom says.

"Sounds to me like you're scared." My dad teases.

"She doesn't." Hanbin proclaims and wow does he get a fierce look from Jennie for his efforts.

"Excellent." My dad does his best Mr. Burns impression. "I can't wait for you to lose." He says to my mom.

My mom doesn't seem scared, "Bring it on honey."

"Oy vey." Rose whispers to herself.

Jennie, on the other hand, isn't sold on the idea. "I don't know..."

Rose elbows my side, "Do something."

Ow!

"I can pick you up." I offer.

Yes!

Jennie is finally making eye contact with me.

"I really don't mind." I continue. "I should warn you though my dad will hound you if you say no."

It's so good to see Jennie's smile come back.

I breathe an internal sigh of relief.

"If you're sure." Jennie says to me.

"She's sure." My dad replies before I can. "You girls should come over early for a swim."

"Ok, Mr. K if you insist." Jennie replies.

Whoa.

Did I hear correctly?

Jennie agreed to come swimming, with me!

I wonder if she'll be wearing a bikini?

Jennie in a bikini!

Someone must have turned off the air conditioning because I suddenly feel very flushed.

Jennie in a bikini!

Jennie in a bikini!

Jennie in a bikini!

Man alive!

Those four words have rendered me speechless.

"What a great idea dad." Bobby declares. "I'll make sure to come over for a swim as well."

That rat bastard!

I'm going to rip his fucking head off.

"Bobby you silly goose." Rose laughs. "You already promised to go shopping with me on Saturday. Don't worry Mr. Kim, we won't miss the meal though."

I have never loved Rose as much as I do right now.

I turn to Bobby and give him a sweet smile, "That's too bad, maybe next time."

Jennie in a bikini!

I'm in a tizzy again.

I shift in my chair as I get sidetracked by some very inappropriate thoughts.

Jennie in a bikini!

My dad clasps his hands together, "Good, it's decided then."

The conversation stats flowing once more and I'm so relieved that whatever was bugging Jennie before doesn't seem to be an issue anymore.

Jennie in a bikini!

Our eyes catch every so often and each time that happens my heart flutters.

Jennie in a bikini!

Enough!

This is so not the time to drooling over Jennie.

I'm so engrossed in finding a way to control my raging hormones that I don't notice at first that my dad is talking to me.

"Sorry, what was that?" I ask him because I've been off in Jennie land.

Don't worry, I got my hand stamped for re-entry.

Oh that sounded a lot dirtier than I meant it to.

"I wanted to know what happened to your head." My dad explains.

Not this again.

Bobby and Rose are giggling beside me.

Rose you get a free pass because you saved me earlier.

Bobby on the other hand, he's made my list.

I hear a strange noise coming from the other side of the table so I look up.

Jennie's laughing too!

But I'm going to let that slide because she's Jennie after all.

She better look damn good in a bikini though.

Jennie in a bikini!

I really need to control myself better.

"I took a very minor spill." I tell him, and I hope that's vague enough that he'll drop the subject.

Yeah, it wasn't.

My dad looks over at Jennie and Hanbin. "That's our Jisoo." He tussles my hair for the second time tonight and I nearly stab his hand with my fork. "You don't even want to know how much money we spent on band-aids when she was growing up."

He just made my list too!

Jennie in a bikini!

Nope didn't work, I'm still not happy with him.

"Nobody wants to hear about that." I say hoping we can move onto something else.

"Remember her fifth birthday party?" Joon asks.

Not you too Joonie, my family sucks!

"How could I forget?" My mom jokes. "She made quite the entrance."

Are you there God? It's me Jisoo.

Please help me in this my darkest hour.

"That she did." Bobby agrees.

I hate them all.

"I don't think I've ever heard his story before." Rose says.

Each and every one of them.

My mother is too far gone in the memory to notice me begging her to stop with my eyes. "She was very excited because I had bought her a new dress that she couldn't wait to show off."

I bury my head in my hands as I accept, however begrudgingly, that I can't do anything to silence her.

"She was prancing around all morning when she got the brilliant idea that she wanted me to announce her presence when all the guests had arrived." My mom chuckles and it takes her a while to regain her composure before she can get the rest of the story out. "I tried to change her mind but once Jisoo gets her mind on something she can be very stubborn."

"I was five." I say in my defense.

Jennie's attention is diverted for a split second and then she goes back to listening to my mom.

"So everyone gathers at the bottom of the stairs as I make the big announcement." She continues. "Jisoo walked down the stairs too fast for her own good because she was so excited and somehow managed to launch herself into the air."

I told you I had many talents.

That's not even the worst part.

At this point there's not one person who isn't laughing, besides me of course.

"Her father was just walking into the room with her My Little Pony cake."

My Little Pony is cool thank-you very much.

"And Jisoo landed head first in the cake." My mother finishes.

The room erupts in laughter and despite how mortified I am, I find myself joining in.

I cried for hours afterwards and refused to leave my room.

I really loved that dress.

"That's adorable." Jennie says to me as she clutches her stomach.

Thankfully she hasn't seen the photographs.

My dad said if anyone had the video camera on at the time we could have won some serious money.

"It really was." My mother states when she's composed herself. "I'll show you the pictures after dinner."

Gah!

I really need to stop jinxing myself like that.

"No you won't." I grit my teeth as I raise my eyebrow to my mother.

"Can we please talk about something else?" I beg.

My mother takes pity on me and soon enough we're onto another subject.

The rest of the meal passes with relatively no embarrassing moments for myself and after dessert is served I start to relax.

"Let me help you clear the dishes." Jennie offers.

She is definitely scoring points with my mom.

My mom shakes her head, "Nonsense Jennie, you're a guest in our house."

"That's ok, I don't mind." Jennie stands up and begins gathering the plates together.

"I'll help too." I say and I swear my gesture has nothing to do with impressing Jennie.

It has more to do with the fact that I might get some alone time with her.

"No!" My family shouts at the same time.

"I'll be fine, I promise." I assure them.

Seriously, they're overreacting just a little bit.

Ok, ok, maybe their reaction is justifiable.

Maybe.

One time I was cleaning up after dinner and I walked right into a wall, breaking all of my mom's good china. The wall came out of nowhere though, much like the street sign I hit earlier today.

My mom never asked me to help clear the table again.

I did replace her dishes with a very fine set I'll have you know.

I'm right behind Jennie before anyone can stop me.

Jennie's behind.

Scrumptious.

I have to behave or I will have an accident.

I make it safely into the kitchen and after I put the plates in the sink I turn to Jennie.

"Are you having fun?" I ask her.

She nods enthusiastically, "Thanks again for inviting me over tonight, I'm having a blast."

I want to ask her why she got upset earlier but I'm not so sure that's a good idea.

She seems fine now and I was probably reading too much into her reaction.

That and I'm a total weenie.

Maybe I'll talk to her when we're swimming together on Saturday.

Jennie in a bikini!

My mom comes rushing into the kitchen. "You girls need to come to the living room quickly."

"What's wrong?" I ask and Jennie also looks concerned.

"You're father's setting up the easels." My mom explains. "And we decided to have it men versus women."

I should have anticipated this and told my mom a big fat no to games night.

Jennie looks between my mom and me. "What's going on?"

My mom grabs Jennie  by the shoulder. "You are in for a treat. It's going to be a Pictionary battle royal and the boys are going down."

"Mom." I whine. "I'm sure Jennie doesn't want to play."

Jennie nudges my shoulder with hers. "It sounds like fun Jis."

That's because she hasn't played with my family before.

Things get pretty heated, not much of a surprise considering Bobby, Joon and I are just as competitive as my parents.

"I thought we weren't going to play Pictionary again after what happened last time." I say in an attempt to change my mom's mind.

"Don't be such a party pooper, live a little." My mom replies before she leaves. "The girls are in; Honey prepare to get your ass kicked."

"Yeah Jis, don't be a party pooper." Jennie laughs as she heads to the living room.

That girl has no idea what she's in for.

I reluctantly join my family despite the reservations I have.

I guess there's no turning back now, I might as well have some